🔗 Share this article

Two unbeaten runs continued in place at Anfield, however only one team could take real contentment from the outcome. Leeds United carried out a textbook game plan of stifling and restricting the hosts, with the maiden scoreless draw of Arne Slot's reign highlighting the lingering issues behind the reigning title holders' latest upturn.

Defensive Masterclass Earns Crucial Point

A drab scoreless stalemate, the initial in 84 matches for Liverpool, was largely due to the immense dominance of the outstanding centre-back pairing Jaka Bijol and Pascal Struijk, coupled with the home side's inability to unlock a compact visitors' unit. Liverpool were reduced to hopeful opportunities, and a smattering of discontent echoed around the stadium at the final whistle on a laboured display.

"Should I don't utilise the whole group and we have a schedule like this, I would never do this," Daniel Farke stated. "For a player like Dominic I have to protect him. We all are aware his recent history was challenging. He is in incredible form but it's vital I manage him and sometimes the mind needs to win over the heart."

Liverpool's Struggle in the Final Third

Arne Slot's team initially showed more energy and sharpness than in recent matches, with Jeremie Frimpong prominent on the right side. Nevertheless, clear-cut chances were few and far between. The home side's best moments in the opening period involved striker Hugo Ekitiké.

• Following a smart one-two with Curtis Jones, the French forward cut inside and drew a stop from goalkeeper Lucas Perri at his near post.
• The visitors' goalkeeper spilled the shot, needing a timely block from James Justin to stop Florian Wirtz tapping in the rebound.
• Ekitiké later sprinted clear onto a ball over the top but was impeded by Jaka Bijol; despite staying on his feet, his appeals for a penalty were waved away.

Spurned Chances Prove Pivotal

Ekitiké's evening was compounded when he failed to hit the net with his clearest opening. Meeting a pacy Frimpong cross in the six-yard box, the striker miscued a header that struck the Perri while facing an open goal.

At the other end, their most notable sight of goal arrived from an Liverpool goalkeeper error. The experienced shot-stopper sent a wayward pass straight to midfielder Ethan Ampadu, whose first-time effort returned towards goal was saved by the recovering goalkeeper.

Turgid Final Stages

The contest descended into a scrappy encounter, devoid on quality. The midfielder, returning from a ban, forced a save from Perri from range. The resulting rebound led to Ampadu handling the ball, awarding Liverpool a set-piece in a dangerous position, which Wirtz wasted into the defence.

Slot introduced a three change to inject urgency, and moments later Virgil van Dijk went agonisingly close to heading his side in front from a corner, his header bouncing just wide the post.

Late introduction Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed he had extended his goal streak for the visitors in the closing stages, but his finish was ruled out for a marginal offside. In the end, the two sides had to accept a share of the points.